If a man is assigned an official duty, such as regular work or a very essential job, on Friday, is he required to attend the Friday prayer, or should he pray it as the midday prayer?
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The questioner : This message came to us from the Iraqi Republic, Duhok Governorate. Its sender is Safar Shams Taha. He asks: If a man is assigned an official duty, such as regular work or a very essential job, on Friday, is he required to attend the Friday prayer, or should he pray it as the midday prayer?
The Shaykh : It is obligatory for every Muslim to attend the Friday prayer if he hears the call to prayer, based on the saying of Allah the Exalted:[Al-Jumu'ah 62:9] or if he is in a place where he can hear the call, were it not for a barrier. It is not permissible for him to be occupied with anything from the matters of this world in place of attending the Friday prayer, because Allah says: [Al-Jumu'ah 62:9] If selling, which is the most widespread and common of transactions, must be left, then other matters are even more so; attending the Friday prayer is required.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : If he attends the Friday prayer and it concludes, Allah the Exalted has said:[Al-Jumu'ah 62:10] His attendance at the Friday prayer may be the cause and key to the provision of Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He) for him, since he has performed what is obligatory upon him of worshipping Allah. If the servant fears his Lord and performs what is obligatory upon him, He (Glorified and Exalted is He) says, and His promise is the truth and His word is the truth: [At-Talaq 65:2-3] However, if he is occupied with a matter or a job that he thinks will end before the Friday prayer, but the time catches up with him and he cannot free himself from it without harm, then there is no harm in him remaining occupied with it, even if he misses the Friday prayer, because in this situation he is excused.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The Shaykh : It is obligatory for every Muslim to attend the Friday prayer if he hears the call to prayer, based on the saying of Allah the Exalted:
O you who have believed, when [the adhan] is called for the prayer on the day of Jumu'ah [Friday], then proceed to the remembrance of Allah and leave trade
يا أيها الذين ءامنوا إذا نودي للصلاة من يوم الجمعة فاسعوا إلى ذكر الله وذروا البيعthen proceed to the remembrance of Allah and leave trade
فاسعوا إلى ذكر الله وذروا البيعThe questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : If he attends the Friday prayer and it concludes, Allah the Exalted has said:
And when the prayer has been concluded, disperse within the land and seek from the bounty of Allah
فإذا قضيت الصلاة فانتشروا في الأرض وابتغوا من فضل اللهAnd whoever fears Allah - He will make for him a way out (3) And will provide for him from where he does not expect.
ومن يتق الله يجعل له مخرجا ويرزقه من حيث لا يحتسبThe questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.